Imagine using touch screen digital signage for employee communication?

"Scandinavian carmaker Volvo drove down the digital out-of-home route for a campaign to help launch its new Volvo V40 earlier this year.

The campaign included interactive digital signage screens that allowed consumers to personalize their own V40 model and then see their creations showcased on screens at rail stations across the U.K." Full article.

Volvo touch screen digital signage at a bus stop

There have been consumer facing screens in one form another for as long as I can remember. It's now getting a lot more interesting.  

What's compelling here is not only the interactivity but the fact that your own creation will be shown elsewhere as part of a multi-channel campaign. 

We've had quite a few clients ask us about touch screen digital signage and yes, it is easy to do in terms of the technology but what is not so straightforward is the content. 

The Volvo campaign is clever because it's in front of a captive audience who has time on their hands (until the next bus anyway), the consumer is creating something that others will see and it's new and different compared to what their competitors are doing. What a great idea.

So, my question is, why aren't we as creative internally with digital signage and large screen communications? People have shorter attention spans, crave interactivity and consume content quicker than ever before. 

We should make use of this desire for new technology while it's still novel. Digital signage is a great channel away from the desk - it reaches employees when they are in a different frame of mind. Used correctly, digital signage can really stand out and get attention.

If you want to know more about adding touch screen functionality contact me for more details.

What the heck is digital signage anyway?

I've recently joined Sabercom, a UK company who have a fresh take on how to deliver communications across the various screens you can usually find in any organisation.

I wanted to find out more about how companies use various screens to deliver key messaging to employees, students and other "mobile populations" in multi-site and campus type locations.

So what is digital signage? It's very much an industry term so most of our customers don't know what digital signage is. Screens are everywhere these days in airports, train/bus stations, shopping centres and even the local corner shop at the cash register.

Traditionally, displays have been used in retail or customer facing applications. However, look more closely and you'll see displays spotted around most companies. Screens are placed at reception, in waiting rooms, employee rest areas, cafeterias and many others places.

So how do most companies use these screens to communicate to employees?

We did a casual poll and found most have screens in rest areas (including canteens and restaurants), places where staff don't have access to email, manufacturing facilities and contact centres among others.

Responses: 
"...we do use large screens to help our comms effort (eg. in Head office we have screens in reception, coffee bar and restaurant)..."

"...we use TVs for internal communications in a number of countries.We have a script which is for region-wide messages and then locally owners can add a local script for information specific to that country..."  

"...we use electronic notices in our lifts – they work well as they catch people when they’re not doing much else!"

Over the coming weeks Sabercom is going to delve into how and why companies use screens to communicate internally.

Do you have a story you'd like to share about the role of large screen communication in your business? Please get in touch: ray.edun@sabercom.co.uk.